Month: October 2015

Rudy Gay scores 30 in preseason loss

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings, who like the league’s other 29 teams are just getting their feet wet in preseason:

Darren Collison missed a three-pointer that would have given the Kings the lead with 3.8 seconds to play, and Sacramento fell to 1-1 in the preseason with a 102-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

The Kings committed 21 turnovers. Kings coach George Karl said many of them were unforced errors.

“I think we’ve had 40 turnovers in two nights and bet 60 percent, 70 percent are unforced,” Karl said. “Some of that’s not knowing each other; some of that’s trying to do a little bit too much in a crowd, putting yourself in difficult decision-making places. I think we’ll get better at it.”

Rudy Gay scores 30 in preseason loss

Rudy Gay led the Kings with 30 points. He made 10 of 13 shots, including 7 of 8 on three-pointers. DeMarcus Cousins added 15 points on 3-for-12 shooting and eight rebounds. T.J. Warren and Jon Leuer led Phoenix (1-0) with 17 points apiece.

Knicks MSG sellout streak ends

Here’s the New York Post reporting that Knicks tickets, at least for one preseason game, were available at face value from the box office for a change:

The 201-game Garden sellout streak dating to 2010 is over. The club announced a crowd of 19,037 — below the sellout number of 19,812 — for Tuesday’s preseason opener against Brazilian team Bauru.

The sellout streak had included preseason, regular-season and playoff games. The Knicks still will promote their regular-season/playoff streak that stands at 97.

The Knicks had an 87 percent season-ticket renewal rate, which was down considerably from last season. But one of the biggest upsets was the Knicks sold out all their regular-season games during their worst season in franchise history at 17-65.

Future of Timberwolves on display

Here’s the St. Paul Pioneer Press reporting on the young and fun Minnesota Timberwolves:

The future of the Timberwolves was on display in Wednesday’s exhibition opener, with the debut of No. 1 overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns and fellow rookie Tyus Jones joining a starting lineup that included talented second-year players Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins.

There were glimpses of potential, but the Wolves showed they still have a long way to go.

After all, Minnesota was playing an offensive juggernaut in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka combined for 47 points in the Thunder’s 122-99 victory in front of 8,601 at Target Center.

“We found things we need to work on,” said Towns, who had an impressive debut with 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks. “It was kind of bittersweet. I wanted to do a lot more on both sides of the basketball. I’m just getting my feet wet.”

Pistons waive Eric Griffin

Pistons waive Eric Griffin

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Eric Griffin.

He was signed to the training camp roster on September 28 and played for the Texas Legends of the NBA’s Developmental League last season. In 49 games, he averaged 19.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.4 blocks in 35.2 minutes. The Orlando native played collegiately at Campbell University and went undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Bucks waive Jon Horford and Charlie Westbrook

bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on forward Jon Horford and guard Charlie Westbrook, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Horford saw six minutes of action in last night’s preseason game at Chicago, while Westbrook posted four points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in nine minutes. Both were signed by the Bucks as free agents on Sept. 18.

The Bucks roster now stands at 18 players.

Grizzlies sign Alex Stepheson

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has signed free agent forward/center Alex Stepheson. The contract is likely non-guaranteed and just for preseason.

Stepheson (6-10, 270) has played professionally in Greece, Slovenia and Turkey since finishing his collegiate career at the University of Southern California. The 28-year-old averaged 12.3 points and a league-leading 9.2 rebounds in 26.8 minutes while shooting 56.3 percent from the field, in 29 games (21 starts) last season for Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi.

Unselected in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles native also made three appearances for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2015 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The Grizzlies’ roster stands at 20 players.

Grizzlies waive Michael Holyfield

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has waived center Michael Holyfield.

Holyfield (6-11, 270) signed with Memphis as a free agent on Sept. 28 and played eight minutes in the Grizzlies’ preseason opener last night against the Houston Rockets. Unselected in the 2015 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career at Sam Houston State University, the 22-year-old Albuquerque, N.M. native appeared in five games for Memphis during the 2015 Orlando Pro Summer League.

The Grizzlies’ roster stands at 19 players.

Warriors holding Open Practice October 14

The NBA Champion Golden State Warriors will hold an Open Practice at Oracle Arena on Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00 p.m., the team announced today. The first 5,000 fans can sign up for VIP tickets to Open Practice and receive a commemorative t-shirt with regular tickets to Open Practice also available while supplies last.

All fans must sign up for a VIP or regular ticket at warriors.com to receive access to Open Practice and enjoy FREE parking and admission, with parking gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and doors opening at approximately 5:00 p.m. Full concessions will also be available.

For fans unable to attend, the Open Practice will also be streamed live on warriors.com starting at 6:00 p.m.

Jason Terry taking it easy in preseason

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting on Rockets guard Jason Terry, who at this point in his career isn’t particularly interested in preseason action:

Jason Terry taking it easy in preseason

Rockets veteran guard Jason Terry did not dress for Tuesday’s preseason opener and does not expect to play Wednesday against Dallas. After 16 NBA seasons, Terry said he knows how to be ready for the season and that does not involve playing many, if any preseason games.

“Oct. 28, I’ll see you then,” Terry said. “About my 10th year, when I was in Dallas, I played maybe four games. It doesn’t really affect me. I have my set routine, how I know to prepare my body, to be ready for the first flight.”